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A review by coffeestainsandinkspots
Exile by Loren G. Warnemuende
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Exile is the first book in what is to be the Daughter of Arden Trilogy. The story follows Princess Marleen of Arden as faces a difficult choice and the consequences of her choice. The choice- to marry a man she does not love or to enter into a specially built tower- is put before her by her father as her nation is facing an approaching war. What follows is a tale of longing, heartbreak, and learning to trust the Mighty One.
This is a very typical first book for a trilogy. The main focus of the plot is to introduce the reader to Marleen, our protagonist, and the conflict that she will be facing. As such, a lot of this book is mostly character development. Exile is a YA novel under 300 pages, so readers should go into it not expecting a Sanderson level of development and worldbuilding. I expect that over the next two books we will see a lot more of Arden and its people. There is also a time span of three years covered in this novel, so be prepared to also go through time jumps.
That being said, I did largely enjoy this book. It has a certain fairy tale quality that makes it compelling. If you are looking for a low/no magic fantasy to read (or read with your children) I would happily direct you to Exile. I look forward to the next two books in the series.
This is a very typical first book for a trilogy. The main focus of the plot is to introduce the reader to Marleen, our protagonist, and the conflict that she will be facing. As such, a lot of this book is mostly character development. Exile is a YA novel under 300 pages, so readers should go into it not expecting a Sanderson level of development and worldbuilding. I expect that over the next two books we will see a lot more of Arden and its people. There is also a time span of three years covered in this novel, so be prepared to also go through time jumps.
That being said, I did largely enjoy this book. It has a certain fairy tale quality that makes it compelling. If you are looking for a low/no magic fantasy to read (or read with your children) I would happily direct you to Exile. I look forward to the next two books in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and War
There are depictions of the aftermath of war on the land of Arden.
After Maleen and Marietta escape from the tower they find that Ardenay has been destroyed. After wandering around for a bit they find that the village worship center has been burned and is filled with bones of people who burned alive with the building.